At the risk of sounding like an idiot. I am having an issue when fishing a spinner bait or a chatter bait. My last three trips I have lost more fish than I have caught. I will occasionally get a short strike, and not be able to get a good Hookset. But, my biggest issue seems to be losing him close to the boat. Originally I thought it was my rod not being stout enough, but when I changed it from a medium to medium heavy it didn't help the issue. What do you do to ensure a good Hookset and boating your spinner bait or chatter bait fish?

Trailer hook

sharpen the hooks

What line are you using? I like to use fluorocarbon or braid because they have less stretch than mono. This helps the hook penetrate better. Also, don't be afraid to set the hook hard on single hook baits.

Im using a crankbait rod for more distance with 15 lb fluoro (Invisx). Never had a problem, usually I set the hook just like with a crankbait, keep reeling and sweep to the side. If I have a doubt about it being hooked, I hit him again after the rod is loaded up.

keep rod tip up

I'll try switching from 12lb mono to something stouter and less stretchy. I will be more assertive with my sweep hook set. And I'll certainly make sure my hooks are sharp and the barbs are clear of rust/debris from plastics before I fish these baits again. Good suggestions, keep them coming if you have something additional!

Agree, braid to fluoro should work better with spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. On a long cast, it's difficult to get a good hookset on single hook rigs with 12lb mono.

General rule
--treble hook lures including large swimbaits with big trebles and topwaters mono or copoly (Mean Green is my preference)
--anything with one hook trig, crig, jigs, wacky rig, spinnerbait, bladed jig, swim jig, swimbaits on a single hook, you want less stretch (fluoro or braid or braid to fluoro)
--frogs straight braid

throw that blade on 65# braid with a heavy action rod into the gnarliest cover you can find deflecting off of everything.

Trash that 12# mono for the blades. 20-30# fluoro or 50-65# braid and get nasty with it. Keep good constant pressure on them near the boat and don't let your line go slack. This could be your biggest problem. That lead head on the hook makes blades easier for the fish to throw if they get a chance to shake it on slack line.

i use either 17# mono or 15# flouro with those baits.

If you take the protective plastic tubing off the hook it really helps....

17-20 lb flouro and don't baby the fish in. Get the fish in the boat asap. Anything under 4 lbs I'm gonna reel as fast as I can and swing them in the boat.

Heavy line and do not play the bass. When she comes up slide her to the boat and into the net.
Trying to remember when I lost a fish on one and can't. I use the extend shank hook now so no trailer hook is needed.

We caught about 25 each day in Mexico in Feb. and March and I do not remember loosing any in 12 days of fishing. Most were in the 4 to 5 lb class. We don't even use a net down there just swing them in the boat.

^^ Good advice. I've gotten to where I pretty much 'ski' my fish in. I drug a 6lber on top of the water for about 30yds the other day and that fish never moved until it was in the boat. I'd say make sure your rod is stout enough. MH should be ok but I like using a heavy rod when I throw a chatterbait. It'll vibrate you to death throwing one all day but you WILL get good hooksets. Lol. Lastly, like someone said, keep your rod tip up. Especially when you get near the boat.